Trailing arm suspension with wrapper compression axle mounting

Abstract

A vehicle suspension system for mounting ground-engaging wheels to a vehicle frame where two arms are secured to opposite sides of the frame and a wheel-carrying axle is suspended between the arms. The axle is secured to the arms by a wrapper plate partially surrounding the axle, and a bolt is utilized to compress the wrapper plate about the axle so that the wrapper plate supports and strengthens the axle. A plug weld is provided between the axle and the wrapper plate. The wrapper generally conforms to the profile of that portion of the axle which it surrounds. The axle can be square, round or D-shaped in cross-section.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A vehicle suspension system for mounting ground-engaging wheels to a vehicle frame, the suspension system comprising at least two substantially rigid arms secured to opposite sides of the frame through substantially aligned pivot mounts; at least one wheel-carrying axle mounted to said arms; and an axle support means securing said at least one axle to each of said arms; the improvement in each of said axle support means comprising: a wrapper plate having an elongated planar complementary surface wrapping at least 180° around said axle and depending opposite sides extending beyond said axle;   compressing means for diametrically compressing said axle by drawing said opposite sides of said wrapper plate toward each other;   whereby said wrapper plate supports and strengthens said wheel carrying axle at the point at which said axle is connected to said rigid arms.   
     
     
       2. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 1 wherein said wrapper plate comprises a saddle-shaped plate and has an aperture extending through the bight portion thereof to reduce the weight of said wrapper plate. 
     
     
       3. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 2 wherein said compressing means comprises a bolt extending through said opposite sides of said wrapper plate and being adapted to compress said complementary surface against said axle when tightened. 
     
     
       4. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 3 and further comprising a small, non-linear weldment securing said axle to said wrapper plate. 
     
     
       5. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 4 wherein said opposite sides of said wrapper plate have a small, circular aperture extending therethrough adjacent the vertical midpoint of said axle; and said non-linear weldment is located within said aperture in said downwardly extending sides. 
     
     
       6. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 5 and further comprising a pair of side plates secured to each of said rigid arm each of said side plates having an opening of complementary shape to said wrapper plate, means securing said wrapper plate to said side plates and a reinforcing means between said side plates and said wrapper plate for supporting and reinforcing said wrapper plate. 
     
     
       7. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 6 wherein said reinforcing means comprises a gusset plate secured to at least one of said side plates and said wrapper plate. 
     
     
       8. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 3 and further comprising a pair of side plates secured to each of said rigid arms, each of said side plates having an opening of complementary shape to said wrapper plate, means securing said wrapper plate to said side plate and a reinforcing means between said side plates and said wrapper plate for supporting and reinforcing said wrapper plate. 
     
     
       9. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 8 wherein said reinforcing means comprises a plate secured to at least one of said side plates and said wrapper plate. 
     
     
       10. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 8 wherein said wrapper plate is U-shaped and said axle is square in cross-section. 
     
     
       11. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 1 and further comprising a small, non-linear weldment securing said axle to said wrapper plate. 
     
     
       12. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 11 wherein said small non-linear weldment is located adjacent the vertical midpoint of said axle. 
     
     
       13. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 12 and further comprising a pair of side plates secured to each of said rigid arms, each of said side plates having an opening of complementary shape to said wrapper plate, means securing said wrapper plate to said side plates and a reinforcing means between said side plates and said wrapper plate for supporting and reinforcing said wrapper plate. 
     
     
       14. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 13 wherein said reinforcing means comprises a plate secured to at least one of said side plates and said wrapper plate. 
     
     
       15. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 1 wherein said wrapper plate has an arcuate bight portion adapted to receive said axle and said axle has a circular cross-section of complementary size to said arcuate bight portion; and said compressing means comprises a bolt extending through said opposite sides and being adapted to compress said wrapper plate against said axle when tightened; and an adaptor means having an arcuate top surface of complementary shape to said axle and positioned beneath said axle to position said axle within said wrapper plate, and said wrapper plate depending sides extend beyond said adaptor means. 
     
     
       16. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 15 wherein said adaptor means has a tapered end which extends laterally along said axle at or near a vertical midpoint thereof and beyond said wrapper plate, and further comprising a weld extending between said tapered end and said axle at or near the vertical midpoint thereof. 
     
     
       17. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 16 wherein said wrapper plate is adapted to compress said axle along the vertical midpoint thereof. 
     
     
       18. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 1 wherein said wrapper plate is adapted to compress said axle at or near a vertical midpoint thereof.